Lea rejects appointing Dunford sheriff   LOVINGTON — Lea County Commissioners declined to appoint Undersheriff Tom Dunford to the vacant sheriff’s position Thursday, primarily out of concern an appointment would lower his salary significantly. Although former Sheriff Byron Wester announced his intended retirement from law enforcement in March, he later decided to stay on through April. By state law, Under-sheriff …

Lea rejects appointing Dunford sheriff   LOVINGTON — Lea County Commissioners declined to appoint Undersheriff Tom Dunford to the vacant sheriff’s position Thursday, primarily out of concern an appointment would lower his salary significantly. Although former Sheriff Byron Wester announced his intended retirement from law enforcement in March, he later decided to stay on through April. By state law, Under-sheriff …

LOVINGTON — The proposed Libba Land Subdivision north of Hobbs garnered Lea County Commission approval on a vote of 4-1 Thursday. Commissioner Dean Jackson cast the lone no vote based on water concerns. Addressing developer Daniel Johncox, Jackson said, “I just want to say on the vote, Daniel, I’m not against you. I’ve read the reports and done a lot …

LPD officer cleared in shooting   The Fifth Judicial District Attorney’s Office has cleared a Lovington Police Department officer involved in an October 2017 shooting incident near the Panda Buffet restaurant. On Oct. 19, 2017, around 3 a.m., LPD arrested Lovington resident Karlo Hernandez on burglary related charges before he allegedly ecscaped police custody and ran toward the Panda Buffet …

Conner sworn in as newest Eunice councilor EUNICE — The Eunice City Council is officially complete. Early in Tuesday’s regular council meeting, Carlos Eli Conner took the oath of office, filling a council seat vacated this month by Steve Almager, who resigned for employment reasons. Conner, a Eunice native, applied for the position after the March municipal elections which resulted …

Chance sentenced to 5 years LOVINGTON — Eunice resident Samantha Chance made an emotional statement on her own behalf before Fifth Judicial District Judge Gary Clingman Monday afternoon and was then sentenced to five years in prison for her second-degree murder conviction in Hobbsan Kasey Poole’s death. Chance, 26, appeared in court wearing bright orange following her transport from the …

NMJC approves pay raises, budget New Mexico Junior College Board members provided good news to staff, employees and president of the college at Thursday’s board meeting. In fiscal year 2019, staff members will receive a three percent pay increase and hourly employees a 25 cent an hour increase. The board also extended NMJC president Kelvin Sharp’s contract to June 30, …

Multiple Lovington streets to be resurfaced Lovington residents should keep an eye out for street resurfacing work within the next three weeks. Street closures are expected in areas that will undergo resurfacing. IPR Ltd. of Albuquerque will resurface different segments of streets throughout the City of Lovington starting on Monday through May 8. According to the city, surfacing work is …

Hobbsan charged after shots fired call, robbery A Hobbs man faces robbery and other felony charges after he was allegedly involved in a robbery and shooting incident last week. Emilio Tarango, 29, was charged with robbery, a second-degree felony; accessory to child abuse, a third-degree felony; accessory to shooting at or from a motor vehicle, felon in possession of a …

RA&J Office Works cuts ribbon In the company of about 30 well wishers, Rosa Molina cut the ribbon Friday to her new business. RA&J Office Works, located in the Michigan Plaza, 726 E. Michigan Dr., Suite 401, primarily deals with Department of Transportation regulations and tax services. Representatives of the Hobbs Chamber of Commerce, the Hobbs Hispano Chamber of Commerce, the …